Liberia - the eye of the storm: A review of the literature on internally displaced, refugees and returnees

Abstract

One of the most prominent, and from a humanitarian and human rights perspective most troubling aspects of international conflicts during recent years is the plight of the internally displaced persons, and refugees. Forced to leave their homes in search of refuge, internally displaced persons often find themselves with littler protection, with unclear rights, and without safe livelihoods. While their most important support generally comes from the communities receiving them, which often have very few resources, international humanitarian organisations have not been able to agree on clear mandates with regard to who should gave the overall responsibility for assisting them. Although the international community is better organised to care for those who have crossed borders and become refugees, it is still struggling to fine tune and coordinate available aid instruments and to mobilise sufficient resources in order to facilitate their post-conflict return, resettlement and...